Movies - Torn Curtain

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	Movies - Torn Curtain

Torn Curtain is a 1966 thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, featuring his trademark characters and camera techniques. The film was written by Brian Moore, and rated PG when it was released to theaters on July 14 of 1966. The film caused some controversy for its racy scenes featuring star Julie Andrews, who had recently made several successful Disney family films. Hithcock often complained that Andrews was "recommended" to him rather than being his real choice. However, it was a minor hit for Alfred Hitchcock and an honorable effort, though rarely considered a Hitchcock classic. It does feature a memorable murder scene that Hithcock made specifically to show the audience just how difficult it actually is to kill a man.

During production, the film faced some major setbacks, beyond the controversy surrounding its female star. The original script was deemed unsuitable by both Alfred Hitchcock and Universal Pictures, who financed the picture. Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall had to do extensive re-writes and script doctoring before any filming could be completed, despite their efforts going uncredited. Bernard Herrmann, a long-time collaborator of Alfred Hitchcock, completed a full score before the film's completion, but both Hitch and Universal called for a more upbeat score. Bernard Herrmann and Alfred Hitchcock had a major falling out, and the long-time collaborators never worked together again. Financial problems and several filming location changes also delayed the production. The working relationship between Hitchcock and star Paul Newman was also said to be problematic, with Newman, who came from a different generation of actors than the likes of Cary Grant and James Stewart, constantly questioning Hitchcock about the script and the characterization throughout filming, and Hitchcock found Newman's manner and approach unacceptable and disrespectful. Newman insists that he meant no disrespect towards Hitchcock, and once said "I think Hitch and I could have really hit it off, but the script kept getting in the way."

Plot

When Michael Armstrong (Paul Newman), an esteemed professor and scientist, begins acting suspiciously, his assistant and fiancée, Sarah Sherman (Julie Andrews), follows him to East Germany, believing he has defected to the other side.

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